Hervey Bay Rebels sexually abused underage girls, police allege

Kristian Silva

Rebels bikie gang members have been accused of systematically drugging and sexually assaulting underage girls on Queensland’s Fraser Coast.

Police are investigating allegations that the Hervey Bay bikies lured girls to their clubhouse, before senior Rebels took turns to have sex with them.

The allegations date back to before March 2013, when the Rebels clubhouse burnt down in a suspicious fire.

Wide Bay Burnett Detective Inspector Bruce McNab said police were still determining the number of potential victims, but investigators believe the alleged sexual abuse occurred for “a year or two”.

“Some girls were coming back to the clubhouse and being given drugs, and when they were affected they were not able to consent and the older members were having sex with them,” he said.

“We’re not sure how many times it happened, but it seems to be quite a regular activity leading up to the clubhouse burning down.”

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Other underage girls were allegedly offered drugs in return for sex, he said.

Inspector McNab said police only were only made aware about the allegations recently. He said they were keeping “close tabs” on the people who were Rebels members at the time of the claims, and the investigation was ongoing.

He said police were certain all the females were underage when they reportedly had sex with the gang members.

He said the girls were normally plied with cannabis and amphetamines, but some were also administered other drugs that “rendered them unable to consent”.

“It’s not just the shame and the pain of being sexually assaulted, but then you’ve got the club able to stand over these children and prevent them from coming forward,” he said.

He called on anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.